Pneumonia can be prevented

Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and are not passed person to person, keeping good standards of hygiene and following a healthy lifestyle will decrease opportunities of aquiring pneumonia.

Follow a few simple steps to lower your risk of developing pneumonia.

Get vaccinated!

Different countries have different recommendations and schedules for vaccines. Find out the details for your own country.

A yearly flu shot can help prevent seasonal influenza. Secondary pneumonia following an influenza infection is common and can be very severe.

Vaccines also exist against pneumococcus, the most common cause of pneumonia. Children under 5, adults over 65 and people of any age suffering from long-term health conditions are at increased risk of developing pneumococcal pneumonia, and most countries recommend pneumococcal vaccination for these groups.

Make sure that you (and your children) are fully vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough), and measles.

Wash your hands!

Although we are in the 21st century, a large number of people still neglect simple hygiene practices. Washing your hands frequently is one of the best preventive measure against many diseases.

Wash your hands every time after blowing your nose or going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing foods.

Don't smoke!

Tobacco damages your lungs. This means that smoking lowers the ability of your lungs to fight the germs, chemicals and pollution you breathe in every day. Smokers are at higher risk of pneumonia (and many other diseases), and therefore stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health.

Stay well!

Try to incorporate good health habits into your everyday life: a healthy diet, enough rest and regular exercise. This will lower your chances of getting sick and promote fast recovery if you do get an infection. If you have a health condition that puts you at high risk of pneumonia, you may be advised to avoid contact with other people who have symptoms of chest infections.